The Boston Globe from Boston, Massachusetts • 25

PORT The Boston Globe Tuesday, March 23, 1971 23 FRANCIS ROSA Name now official It's N.E. Patriots ft JL! in? By Will McDonough Globe Staff PALM BEACH, Fla. If you like collector's items, the Patriots have a deal for you. Yesterday, here at the National Football League owners' meeting, the name Boston Patriots became extinct. It went the way of the Boston Shamrocks, the Boston Redskins, the Boston Yanks, and the Bay State Patriots.

From now on, it's going to be the New England Patriots. "The league still has $24,000 worth of Boston: Rico 'sees ball Sox thump L.A., 10-5 Irregular aces back up Bruins Almost everyone know the Bruins' aces. The Centurions. Phil Esposito, Bobby Orr, John Bucyk and Ken Hodge. All of them have 100 points, which makes them a pretty exclusive group.

No other team in the history of hockey has had four such point-producers. But, there's another band of aces on the Bruins and in their own they're a pretty exclusive group, too. And so important to the team also in their own way. And maybe no team in hockey has had such a bench. Let us salute the Black Aces.

They are the irregulars and coach Tom Johnson regards them a hidden strength of the team and says, "they're all good hockey players and would be a pretty good nucleus for another team." There are five of them, and goalie Gerry Cheevers, and naturally, Tom Johnson is the coach. The five are Ace Bailey (No. 14 in your program); Don Marcotte (No. 21); Shaky Walton (25), Reggie Leach (27) and Ricky Smith (No. 10).

"You can't really call Smith an irregular," these days," says Johnson. "The five," he adds, "are good enough to be regulars for any other team in the league." So, guess what, Black Aces? You're going to get more ice time in the remaining six games. "We'll use them more from now on," said Johnson yesterday. "All hockey players need work and we're going to get them sharp for the playoffs." It's not a shallow promise, either, for Johnson is as good as his word and has even decided how he'll skate them. "Walton will be at center for Marcotte and Carle-ton and we'll skate Bailey and Leach at the wings with Derek Sanderson," he said.

Eddie Westfall, the right winger on the line with Sanderson and Carleton, will be worked considerably at defense. It's all part of Johnson's plan to get ready for the playoffs and it's also a device to give the regulars some rest. But, back to the Black Aces. The name? "Oh, that's just a common name in hockey for the guys who take extra practice," said Johnson. They're sort of a close-knit group these Black Aces.

Saturday night when the Bruins clinched first place and everybody had his bottle of champagne, the five gathered together and shouted to photographers in the dressing room to take a picture. "Hey," said Cheevers, "that's my team, the Black Aces," and he moved in to join them. Phil Esposito wanted to get into the picture, but they wouldn't let him. Cheevers gained eligibility for the group during that spell when Eddie Johnston played several games in succession. "This is the group that worked out at Harvard," said Johnson," and we needed a goalie so we picked up Cheevers.w AERIAL DUEL Mike Fahey (right) of Somerville leaps to score over the outstretched arms of Lexington's John O'Brien in the semifinal of the State Schoolboy Basketball Tournament at Boston Garden.

(Frank O'Brien photo) Lexington stops Somerville; English crushes Barnstable By Neil Singelais Globe Staff VERO BEACH, Fla. The Red Sox wore their hitting shoes yesterday and mauled Los Angeles Dodger pitching for fourteen hits as they romped, 10-5, before 1275 at Holman Stadium. Rico Petrocelli supplied much of the Sox punch with a i 1 e-d ouble-homer day and five runs batted in. In 14 previous Grapefruit League games Rico had managed only two extra base hits, a double and a homer, to drive in three runs. His average was a puny .167.

"I've been pressing a little, so I was just trying to meet the ball," explained Petrocelli. "I had Sunday off and Frank Malzone spent an hour pitching to Patriot merchandise in stock," said team president Bill Sullivan. "They've got-T-shirts and items like that with Boston Patriots written all over them. "Now I guess they'll become collector's items. And of course we've got all the equipment ourselves with Boston Patriots labels." Yesterday, after a mild nudge by the league office, and a re-evaluation by the team's managers, the name New England was accepted by the NFL owners.

"The feeling now is that the Patriots are representing all New England, not just the city or Boston, not just the state of Massachusetts," said Sullivan. me. I opened my stance, so I would be facing the pitcher more and I found I could see the ball better." Petrocelli didn't display any favoritism either He belted a 385-ft. home run to left field off Dodgers' starter Al Downing in the fourth, doubled off reliever Dennis James for two runs in the sixth, and polished off the afternoon with a two-run single off Chip King in the ninth- "Rico could have had four hits if (Steve) Garvey hadn't made a great stop of his shot down the third base line in the second inning," Eddie Kasko pointed out. The Sox win upped starter Sonny Siebert's spring training record to 2-0.

Billy Conigliaro collected two doubles and a victory for Hawaii over Oklahoma. The victory sent the Rainbows into tomorrow night's quarterfinals against St. Bonaven-ture. Michigan meets Georgia Tech in the other quarter-final game. North Carolina, which boosted its record to 24-6, led throughout most of the game and enjoyed an 11-point lead with 7:18 remaining, only to have the Friars draw to within five points with 5:06 left to play.

However, Bill Chamberlain, who finished with 19 points, went on a one-man scoring spree in the final minute and 32 seconds of play to prevent Providence from getting any closer than five points. Chamberlain scored six points in a one-minute stretch to preserve the Tarheels' victory. On Feb. 18, the Patriots Board of Directors decided they wanted a change of names. After working 11 years under the Boston Patriots banner, some owners wanted to eliminate the word Boston.

Although it has been denied, the motive for the move was the city's failure to go through on a stadium when the team was fighting for its existence in the Boston area a year ago. Thus several owners pushed for a new name, and the Bay State Patriots carried the day, even though it did not have full approval of the board. PATRIOTS, Page 28 single in four trips to hike h.h average from .293 to .333. "As the season opener gets closer, I'm getting more excited, and I'm not as lazy," remarked Billy C. "I'll tell you, we've been seeing some good pitching.

They gave me four change-ups and I saw few fast balls." Siebert gave up four runs, including a leadoff home run by Garvey in the third, which was helped by a strong wind, and a two-run blast by Duke Sims, the catcher the Sox reportedly sought from Cleveland last season, in the sixth. "I relied on my fast ball and curve," said Sonny. "I didn't go to my slider." After pitching six innings for his longest RED SOX, Page 29 North Carolina also got 18 points from Lee Dedmon and 15 from George Karl in turning back the Friars, Ernie DiGregorio led Providence with 23 points and Vic Collucci added 17. Wuycik, North Carolina's leading scorer, did not suit up for the game. He suffered a strained ligament in his right knee in an opening round victory over Massachusetts and is doubtful for the rest of the tournament.

However, Chadwick filled in with nine field goals in 14 attempts. NewelPs two free throws for Hawaii in the second overtime proved to be the winning points as they gave the Rainbows an 88-85 lead with just 12 seconds to play. Oklahoma's Bobby Jack, who led all NIT, Page 26 By Peter Gammons Globe Staff Somerville finally discovered a hole in its pocketful of miracles and it will be Lexington vs. Boston English in the Massachusetts state basketball final. Lexington held on through one of those fourth qjarter Mike Fahey blitzes, for a 66-60 victory and English breezed past Barnstable, 65-44, before 9439 last night at Boston Garden to set up Thursday night's finale.

It seemed easy most of the night for Lexington. Ron Lee was doing everything on the court, which is normal; Jeff Baker was keeping Frank DiLegro from taking his Shot. Wayne Morrison and John Baker were shooting over the zone and Brian McCal- "We shot much better than we have at the garden thus far," said Boynton. "We knew we had to." All five starters were in double figures, led by Lee's 18. Lexington and English have met once before.

It was English's first game, possibly one of its worst, and Lexington won 66-61 in Tobin Gym. 1 Last night English played one of its better games, and like Lexington, it got a coach's (cliched) dream a team effort. Carlton Smith was 10-for-14 from the floor for 25 points (and top rebounder), Ronald Williams scared Barnstable into shooting from somewhere near the Charles-town Shipyard, and Russell Murchison blanketed Billy Rosary (who had only eight points and just one TOURNEY, Page 28 N. Carolina nabs NIT win; Duke, Hawaii semi-finalists lister was in the pits getting the garbage. The score was 60-50 and it looked like it was over.

But Fahey hit a bomb with 3:14 remaining and Somerville went into its press. "It shouldn't have bothered us," said Lexington coach Stan Boynton, "But we just seemed to forget what we were supposed to do." The teams traded free throws and Fahey hit. Somerville stole the ball and Fahey hit again. Then it was 62-48, 2:11 left, and DeLegro stole the ball. But Fahey missed an off-balance shot, O'Brien hit two free throws, and when Somerville missed another shot, Lee grabbed the rebound, fired a pass over midcourt to Morrison for a sneakaway and it was 66-58 and it was also over.

victory, and Medfield beat Narragansett regional of Templeton, 70-56. There were two striking aspects to Acton's win. First, it was forced to bench three starters in the second quarter beacuse of foul trouble. The two remaining starters virtually played two-on-five and outscored the opponents. David Castelline scored 15 points and Steve Shook the other seven in a 22-20 quarter.

After Lenox got a basket For them "optional practices are must practices," the coach said. They have their own pride and one day at Harvard, "we even posed for a team picture," the six players and Johnson. Since Dallas Smith hurt his arm Ricky Smith has become Orr's regular defense partner but that hasn't nullified his membership in the Black Aces. And now that Johnson is going to divide the goal-tending in each game between Cheevers and Eddie Johnston, Cheevers won't forfeit his membership. The combined point total of the five (excluding Cheevers) is 68, on 23 goals and 45 assists compare that to the 483 of the Esposito-Orr-Bucyk-Hodge combine.

Then compare the ice time. The Black Aces a team within a team is merely another illustration of the team spirit on the Bruins. Everybody roots for everybody else just about. The irregulars feel like part of the team. The regulars make them feel that way the regulars and the coach.

This is part of being a winning team. It's part of Acton-Boxboro, Medfield gain final United Press International NEW YORK Dave Chadwick, filling in ably for the injured Dennis Wuycik, led a balanced attack with 22 points last night as North Carolina defeated Providence, 86-79, to become the first Atlantic Coast Conference team ever to reach the semifinals of the National Invitation Basketball Tournament. In the night cap, also a quarter-final, Duke's Randy Denton bedeviled Tennessee with 32 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Blue Devils to a 78-64 victory. In the first game of the tripleheader, Tom Newell calmly sank two free throws with 12 seconds to go in a second overtime period to preserve an 88-87 at the start of the tihrd period, it couldn't score another in over eight minutes. More often than not, Lenox couldn't set up a shot against the press.

Chuck Daniels had 20 and Jeff Coon 16 as Medfield survived second quarter troubles for its 20th win in 25 games. It took an early 21-7 lead, then watched is disintergrated. Medfield stole the ball four stratight times in the final quarter to make it a romp. Box scores, Page 28 With expected "ease, Acton Boxboro and Medfield walked into the small school final last night at Boston Garden. They'll meet in a repeat of the Tech final (won by Acton 75-55), and it means that for the second straight year Eastern Mas-sachusetts teams won every game of the state tournament.

Acton survived foul trouble, unleashed its press and demolished Lenox, 78-54, for its 44th straight i the looseness, the relaxed attitude of a team that knows i its own abilities. It's the penalty killers needling the i power play unit. It's the Black Aces. It's Derek Sanderson, seeing the notice on the board that today's practice had been canceled, and saying to them: "Hey, check that everyone's off." Even the Black Aces. JIM MURRAY Umps apologizing for inscrutable calls? It's no Occident Bowie Kuhn, the commissioner of all baseball, has himself said the game may soon spread to the ancient and honorable capital of Nippon, Tokyo.

If so, the grand old game will have to undergo certain subtle changes. For instance, the disc jockey, Geoff Edwards, phoned Japan the other day to find out what the Japanese for "KO the umpire!" and "Stick it in his ear!" was. He was told, gently, there was no Japanese equivalent The Japanese, in fact, apologize to the pitcher who has just walked them and thank the umpire who just called them eat on strikes. Their politeness, excessive by Western Undards, extends to the dugout. A pitcher, knocked out of the box, bows to the crowd and repairs to the bullpen where he toils nine-innings-worth anyway to show his humility.

If it's catching, the old game may never be the same. For instance, if an American batter is now called out on strikes, the resulting dialog, together with a nose-to-nose i thrust and a little dirt kicked on shoes may sound like called a wild pitch a strike two innings ago. It's the first time in history a guy scored from second base on a called strike. Sorry about Spokane and all that, slugger, but, for heaven's sakes, don't kick the water cooler when you get back to the dugout or your team will have to quit the field in disgrace and forfeit. Don't forget, this ain't Philadelphia." If an American pitcher gets jerked from the mound, he doesn't bow to the manager and retire to the bullpen with hung head.

His reaction would be more like, "You're taking me out! Whaddaya mean they got five runs off If you got anybody on this team can hit or catch a baseball I ain't seen 'em! That outfield looked like they were playing soccer with that last hit out there. With that support, I'd have to strike out 27 men to keep the score under a hundred. Tell me, is the left-fielder nailed out there? And what did our shortstop die of?" And the manager will snarl, "Why, you crooked-arm busher! You ain't throwed a pitch yet I couldn't hit with a straw! I'd leave you in, but they need the ballpark by Wednesday for an ice show." this: "Why you blind son of an unknown father and a bar-pickup mother, that bleeping pitch was a foot outside! Paying off the bookies again, or is it the usual hangover, ya cripple?" And the ump will say, "You're outta here! Take a hike! That'll cost yaT50!" We take you now to a World Series game in Tokyo where the same batter has just been called out. Batter: "I say, old man, nothing personal, but wasn't that ball just a trifle outside? I mean, I could be wrong, but the fact the catcher couldn't get a glove on it might have fooled me. Of course, I'm only batting .248 so it could be my idea of the strike zone is warped.

But I did think a ball should be reachable by a bat. Did you actually see the pitch? I mean, it went in the second tier and all. I'm not complaining, you understand. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. It doesn't matter that this strikeout will berch me, not to say get me traded to Spokane." Umpire: "See the pitch? I can even see you.

I forgot my contact lenses. My eyes are bloodshot. Listen! I We take you now to Tokyo for the scene as it will be played when Japan goes major league. Pitcher: "Ah, honorabur manager comes to take unworthy pitcher out. So sorry.

Got 11 innings no-hitter going but make small mistake. Let batter hit ball to reft feared with reft-fearder unhappy ferrow born with two reft arms and crossed eyes. Is most grievous error. Unworthy pitcher must now go to burr-pen and ask ancestors' forgiveness for pitching onry no-hitter but not no-runner. Prease to ask clubhouse boy to find number pitcher sharp knife and ask organist to pray chorus of 'Poor Manager: "Correction, prease, is unworthy manages who must reave game.

Prease to accept humber aporo-gies for manager who order catcher to signur for a fasta bore to Phiraderphia Peeries with reft-fearder 'Cockeye' Nakamura in game. Excuse, prease, must go to join humber ancestors as unworthy to manage in same reague with Reo The Rip or Water Awston or Guru Hodges or Ted Weerums. Sayonara! And rotsa ruck.".